This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, the German captain of the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 3, Carola Rackete, was temporarily arrested for bringing migrants to Italy. The incident sparked a heated debate between the Italian and German governments.
Speaking out against her detention, Captain Rackete criticized both Rome and Berlin for their handling of the situation. She emphasized the need for a more humane approach to migrant rescue operations.
Sea-Watch 3 had rescued over 40 migrants from a sinking boat in the Mediterranean. Despite this, the Italian coast guard detained the ship and its crew, sparking widespread condemnation.